Staten Island developments

If Staten Islanders have felt left out of the subway rat race all these years, they’ll soon be able to get in on the action without leaving their home borough. The developers of the massive New York Wheel–the 60-story Ferris Wheel on the Staten Island waterfront set to become the tallest observation wheel in the world–have announced that a simulated subway ride will be part of the waterfront complex.

Time Train, as it’s officially being called, will be a 4-D theater experience that will provide a visual tour of New York’s history with a focus on the harbor. Additionally, a webcam will be installed on the nearby Robbins Reef lighthouse to offer a 24-hour look at construction of the wheel, which will boast four mobile bar cars and a 20-seat restaurant. Groundbreaking for the wheel and its neighboring attractions–including a floating swimming complex, a hotel, and a large outlet mall–is set for 2015 with completion planned for 2017. To see more new developments happening on Staten Island, click here.

Last week, we interviewed Eloise Hirsh, the Freshkills Park Administrator about her role in transforming 2,200 acres of reclaimed land at the former Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, the largest landfill-to-park conversion in the world to date. Though it won’t be entirely completed until 2035, Staten Islanders are already visiting the park and enjoying its many amenities. And while of course those who live in the borough will continue to take advantage of this new development, we want to know if you think it will transform Staten Island as a whole, making it a desirable destination for all New Yorkers.

Similar to Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux’s grand ideas for Central Park, there is a vision for the 2,200 acres of reclaimed land at the former Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island. Where trash once piled up for as far as the eye could see, the site is now a blossoming park full of wildlife and recreational activities.

The Park Administrator overseeing this incredible transformation is Eloise Hirsh. Eloise is a major force behind the largest landfill-to-park conversion in the world to date. In her role as Freshkills Park Administrator, she makes sure the park progresses towards its completion date in 2035, and regularly engages with New Yorkers to keep them informed and excited.

6sqft recently spoke with Eloise to learn more about Fresh Kills’ history, what it takes to reclaim land, and what New Yorkers can expect at the park today and in the years to come.